Simelane issues

I think it can happen to the best of players, you achieve something, then you become entitled. It just happens to different people at different stages. Thats why life coaches and mentors are critical 

Wandile, is that you?

Anyhow, all of us would agree that Simelane and Dayimani are super talented players, and we would want to see them grow as players and make the number 13 and 7/8 jerseys theirs. Most of us have been watching rugby for a very long time, and we can spot what we think the shortcoming of players are, obviously if players can work on their shortcomings and overcome them, so much the better for the player AND the team. For a player to think he deserves a jersey, that's just not going to go down well with anyone, just keep on working and FORCE the coach to pick you, even if you think the coach is not interested in you. At the moment the players in the Lions side that are forcing the coach to pick them, are Marnus Schoeman, Vincent Tshituka, Len Massyn and Tyrone Green.

If all 23 played with the effort of those 4, it would be spectacular. Anyway, it would never be in the interest of a coach to NOT pick a player that is forcing himself into the team, and by forcing himself into the team, I mean by showing the effort of the 4 players I mentioned

My point with the youngsters I mentioned was more about planning and road-mapping. You see it in New Zealand all the time - talented youngster in year 1 is in the squad, learning the ropes with a few games off the bench, year 2 - he's on the bench and starting a few games, year 3 - he's rotating with the starter and year 4 he is the starter and a new youngster joins the system. That way the team is moving the "old" player on and plan correctly. Youngsters also understand where they are and feel like they are part of the plan.